The issue lies within the inability to currently afford a bigger house in the area we live.My W-2 issues annual stock distributions and I just received my first one (40K).

They want an investor to have some serious skin in the game.The other option would be to wholesale this opportunity to somoene and make a few bucks to save so you have some money for a downpayment in the future.

In this case, he gave us ample notice to (most likely) fill that slot, however, I'd like to protect us in the future.

I'd love to connect for future clients needing to find a good investment deal here as well! 

A fair sales price might fall somewhere between the value calculated based on current rents and the value calculated using future rents.

I don't want to be frugal as to not enjoy life, but also not enjoy too much where I have nothing to show for the future. 

I hope it gets better, but I doubt it will in the near future.

If you are able to make an age related withdrawal or a loan from your 401k those could be good options since the stock market is currently at all time highs. 

Where are they living fast forwarding to the future....where d that end up ,not renting to none ?

Don't spend time focusing on buying your first property, spend time setting yourself up financially so you can succeed in the future.